With improved understanding of the design rules for self-assembling peptides, new challenges will be faced to incorporate these materials into dynamic systems of higher complexity and functionality. In this highlight article we discuss very recent advances in these areas. Three areas are covered: (i) molecular networks based on peptides and their interactions including (bio-) catalytically driven systems; (ii) supramolecular functionality, both in the context of biological and nanotechnology applications; (iii) approaches to effectively interface peptides with synthetic and biological materials. We also discuss challenges and opportunities for the design of a new generation of peptide nanomaterials for the next decade.

Enzyme responsive materials (ERMs) are a class of stimuli responsive materials with broad application potential in biological settings. This review highlights current and potential future design strategies for ERMs and provides an overview of the present state of the art in the area.

We demonstrate that nanotubular networks formed by enzyme-triggered self-assembly of Fmoc-L₃ (9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-tri-leucine) show significant charge transport. FT-IR, fluorescence spectroscopy and wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) data confirm formation of β-sheets that are locked together via π-stacking interactions. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the π–π stacking distance between fluorenyl groups to be 3.6–3.8 Å. Impedance spectroscopy demonstrated that the nanotubular xerogel networks possess minimum sheet resistances of 0.1 MΩ/sq in air and 500 MΩ/sq in vacuum (pressure: 1.03 mbar) at room temperature, with the conductivity scaling linearly with the mass of peptide in the network. These materials may provide a platform to interface biological components with electronics.